The family budget and school Lost Property

So it has been three weeks since the children starting back at I am reliably informed by the School Admin team that the lost property box is overflowing.

I myself have paid one visit to the lost property bin already this term.  It is astonishing how much stuff you find.  There’s one School shoe, several single plimsols, fleeces of all age groups.

Despite the indian summer we are experiencing Autumn and the colder whether will soon be upon us.  Which means, more layers.

Furthermore, many of us need to keep a close hold of the family budget.  So this means that we need to not waste money on items you have already bought so spending a few pounds on making sure their clothes come home is well worth it.

Here is a selection of the most popular items of personalised name labels.

• Iron On Labels
• Woven Labels
• Shoe Labels

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Back to school checklist

As my partner keeps telling me we all need lists.  It just help us remember those little or big things that need doing.

Here is our back to school checklist for reception classes.  Hope it helps.

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Consumerism and your child

I think we would all agree that the UK is a consumer orientated society.

On the day that Europe opened its doors to its largest shopping centre, the Westfield in Stratford.  UNICEF also launched its latest Report Card on ”An overview of child well-being in rich countries“.  It also happen to be the day I turned 40 – as a result my conscious pricked me a couple of times.

It’s not difficult to notice that at the weekends, 100′s of thousands of people march off to their local hyper-fantastic-ultra-gigantic-super-enormous shopping centre to spend their hard earned cash on stuff for the children [and themselves].  These concrete steel and glass monoliths rising like a giant piped piper acts like a beacon to the unwary.  Where once they were developed as for the purpose of  convenience they have now turned into a necessity.

Some people make the leap that “it was like this in my day”.  That is true.  But only because these places had previously not existed.

I really do not subscribe to the view that it was better in the old days.  It was just different.  Modern marketing techniques and the profusion of the internet helps support spending.  Where once the shops closed at 6.00 o’clock, they are now open 24 hours a day 7 days a week online – it’s all a little too easy now to over compensate and adorn gifts to our nearest and dearest. .

This coupled with financing option, technology advances and social mores, means we all too readily find ourselves spending.

The Political dimension

Regrettably, despite Mr Cameron Big Society ethos, I’m afraid, I just don’t see a will to change the Consumerism – it’s just not good for UK Ltd.    Unfortunately the UK relies heavily on Consumer Spending to support the economy.  This means that any hope for a recovery for our ailing economy requires us all to buy that latest iPhone or shoes or digital something or other.

So who is to blame?

My feeling is that, whilst it would be easy to blame large companies, Apple, Sony, Microsoft, or the Government – that’s is easy way out.  You simply have to look in the mirror.  You might not like what you see, but it’s the truth.

Everyone has a choice.  You can choose not to have the latest fashions, the next, up-to-the-second mobile phone, or bigger house or car.  Ask yourself will it really make me or my children happier.  The shallow, immediate answer may be yes.  But ask yourself the same question, one or two months later – I wonder if you would have the same response.

It’s been my experience that children respond to boundaries and whilst children can be particularly resourceful in getting their own way a parent needs to be strong and say no.

I do sympathies though.  It’s easier to give in to the easy child care that is television, or succumb to peer pressure. The playground can be a harsh place for a child with the wrong gadget, toys or clothes.

As parents we need to acknowledge that Consumerism is all around us and we need to develop techniques that help defend the family unit.

It’s interesting that LV, a British Insurer estimated that it costs £210,00 to raise a child to 21.  With this financial burden it’s hardly surprising that parents are feeling pressure. That said, there is no imperative to spend this vast sum of money.

But how do we protect our children

As a parent of two I obviously want the best for my child.  Now I want to be clear here.  This philosophy is not about material objects – it’s about their well being, pastoral or otherwise.

But protecting our children from these consumerism pulls will be a real challenge and I don’t think I have the answer.  For me;

• I try and limit the amount of television my children are exposed to.
• I discourage adverts
• I make a point of being active with my children
• We try, sometimes unsuccessfully, to have as many meal times as possible together.

Be well.

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“In an age where some fathers have so little to do with their children”

GUEST BLOGGER: Father of 2, James Hart

Shocking, absolutely shocking.

The Guardian newspaper on 2nd September published an article [A male teacher can never replace a missing father] talking about the how male teachers are so poorly represented in schools.  Super subject, I thought.  Worthy of the Guardians’ keen eye for detail.

However, the line in the first paragraph that got the hairs on the back of my neck tingling was the one quoted in the title.

Innocuous at first.  But to me the wild generalisation that takes a stab at ‘some’ fathers, in my mind attacks them all.  I admit that ‘some’ fathers probably deserve it – as they stay late in the office to avoid, the sometimes chaotic bath-time, bed-time routine.

However, and I’m sure Katharine Birbalsingh would agree that there are many fathers who really enjoy family life, who take an active part in the education, emotional and physical well being of their child’s upbringing .

So where exactly is my argument you might say.  My concern overall  is that this throw-away line is  unqualified.  It makes the “some” too general and as a consequence it feels as though it could land on the head of any father.

Am I being overly critical?  Have  I micro analysed the text too much trying to find a meaning that just simply isn’t there.   Or am I feeling a little defensive at not doing as much as my hard working wife.  Maybe.

When I became a father, worry became second nature.   Whether it was for the children, the family’s well being or my own self-esteem.  And as much as possible I try and preserve these tenets and whilst attrition is inevitable, it’s not welcome and wherever it might occur it must challenged.

“In an age where some commentators have so little to do with representing a balanced truth…”.

Or is it just me?

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